Enders legend Michelle blasts 'ageist' bosses in Hollywood

EASTENDERS icon Michelle Collins says that British soaps are far kinder to women and promote equality much better than the cut-throat industry in Hollywood.

- BY JAMES DESBOROUGH

Michelle on EastEnders with Colin Salmon last year and, below, earlier days in Walford with Adam Woodyatt

The outspoken Walford Square star, most famous for her role as Cindy Beale, believes Coronation Street, EastEnders and Emmerdale promote stronger, older female leads with powerful storylines.

The award-winner's observation comes even though Hollywood studios recently pushed Times Up and Me Too movements to improve female representation of all ages on the small and big screen.

But the 63-year-old, who previously attempted to forge a career in Los Angeles, bemoaned how Tinseltown never really supported women seemingly over 40.

Michelle insists our homegrown soaps are not "obsessed with women of a certain age because there are women of my age on screen. You can see them in your living room. And the writers love writing for mature women.